1. The Road to the French Revolution
King Louis XIV (14th)
The Road to the French Revolution

2. Rise to Power
He is known as the most powerful French monarch in history
He began his reign when he was 4 years old and would rule for 72 years.

3. Louis becomes ruler in 1661 Louis was 22 years old
His goals as King: help France attain economic, political and cultural brilliance
Economic policies:
gave money and tax benefits to French manufacturers
increased the tariff on imported goods
encouraged people to migrate to the French colony in Canada to become wealthy fur traders.

4. The Sun King and his style
Nicknamed the “Sun” King…because the sun is the center of the Universe, Louis wanted to be the center of all power in France.
He lived a life of luxury
Every morning 100 nobles gathered in his room and Louis chose his favorite nobles to help him dress
Louis employed nearly 500 servants
He built the Palace of Versailles, the largest home of any king in Europe

5. Palace of Versailles

8. The Palace became the center for parties, politics, art, the Opera, and ballet

9. A Typical day at Versailles
Ten thousand people lived at the chateau of Versailles. The court revolved around Louis like planets around the sun.
Every aspect of the king's life was conducted with pomp and ceremony. He was awakened each morning at eight by his First Valet, who slept on a folding bed in the king's room. Then the First Physician, the First Surgeon, and Louis's former nanny entered the room to check the king's health. Fifteen minutes later the Grand Chamberlain and other favored courtiers were admitted to watch the king dress. The valet always handed the royal shirt to the most important courtier in the room, who had the honor of handing it to Louis.
Next it was time for the king to kneel and pray, again with the crowd of courtiers watching attentively. Soon Louis made his way to mass with the entire court trailing behind him………….

10. Sometimes Louis even dined in public; anybody who was properly dressed could stand in line to file past the king's table. At "private" dinners he was observed by a crowd of servants and courtiers. Only Louis's brother was allowed to eat with the king on these occasions; everyone else had to stand and watch. No women were present; the king's wife had her own (equally ceremonial) dinners separately.
Louis's life was not entirely ruled by ritual. He worked six to nine hours a day, and is said to have relaxed a bit in the company of his ministers, although his insistence on etiquette never wavered. He also found time for hunting, strolling through his gardens, and spending time with his family. At night he enjoyed concerts, comedies, operas, parties, and gambling.

13. The French economy begins to suffer
Louis spent much of the country’s fortune on war in the Netherlands and constructing Versailles.
Poor harvests, constant warfare, and high taxes to finance his wars caused the French to lose power

14. The war of the Spanish Succession
The King of Spain died and promised the throne to Louis’s 16-year old grandson
1701
England, Austria, the Dutch Republic, Portugal, Germany and Italy joined forces to prevent France from taking over Spain too.
The war lasted 13 years
Treaty of Utrecht
Allowed Louis’s grandson to keep the Spanish throne but the thrones were not allowed to be united

15. Louis’s death and legacy
He died of gangrene in 1715.
His wars and expensive lifestyle had devastated the French economy
News of his death caused celebration in France
Positive legacy: France was a leader in art, theatre, and the military
Negative legacy: he left staggering debt and imposed huge taxes on the poorest citizens

16. Succession
Within the last 15 years of his life his brother, son, and grandson all died.
Louis’s great grandson, Louis XV took the throne, a short reign
Louis XVI, his great-great grandson would be king during the French Revolution

17. Debt of the Royal Family

18. Summary
Summarize how the reign of Louis XIV left France wallowing in debt.